The Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin

The Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin is a foundational work of Northern Renaissance graphics created by Albrecht Dürer in 1510. Classified as a print, the work utilizes the demanding technique of the woodcut, a medium Dürer elevated to new artistic heights during this period, transforming it from a simple illustrative tool into a complex artistic expression.

The composition captures the dramatic, theological culmination of the Virgin Mary's life, showing her being assumed bodily into heaven and crowned Queen of Heaven by the Holy Trinity (God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). Below the triumphant ascension, a group of apostles witness the empty sarcophagus, emphasizing the miracle of her bodily transition. The detailed modeling of the figures and the effective use of cross-hatching to create volumetric shading confirm the status of this piece among the celebrated religious prints produced by Dürer. The expressive power and intricate linework are characteristic of his mature style, blending Renaissance proportional ideals with the dense symbolic traditions of German late Gothic art.

Created early in the 16th century, placing it firmly within the period of 1501 to 1550, this woodcut reflects the intense religious focus and burgeoning graphic arts market of the era. Dürer was instrumental in distributing high-quality religious images across Europe, making works like this accessible to a wider audience than traditional panel paintings. The technical mastery displayed in the shading and volume demonstrates why the artist remains central to the study of the Northern Renaissance. This important impression of the composition is part of the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, providing crucial reference material for researchers studying the period. High-resolution reproductions of the masterwork are frequently made available through the public domain for educational use.